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A beautiful, thriving fly-in community in Rabun County, Ga., Heaven’s Landing is one of only a handful of Mountain Estate Airparks in the country. Weather in Rabun County is best described as “where spring spends the summer,” with mild temperatures throughout the year. Being surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest ensures protection of the area against over development and buffers the development from any immediate neighbors, leaving residents with a feeling of peace and seclusion.

“Heaven’s Landing is unparalleled in lifestyle and recreational variety,” says Mike Ciochetti, Developer of Heaven’s Landing. In addition to flying, residents and visitors have a variety of activities to choose from. Lake Burton and Lake Rabun play host to an unlimited number of water sports including water skiing, knee boarding, tubing and jet skiing. The more laidback individual can fish, sun bathe orcruise around clear waters of thesepristinemountain lakes. Several excellentgolf courses alsoadorn the area. The extreme sportsman can indulge themselves in whitewater rafting or kayaking on the Chattooga and Tallulah rivers. Horseback riding, fly fishing, hunting and rock climbing are also available locally.

Just three miles southeastof Heaven’s Landing is downtown Clayton, Ga., plentiful with restaurants and shopping, without big city traffic. “Living in Heaven’s Landing offers the perfect balance of seclusion without inconvenience, whether you are driving to town or flying across the country.”

With over 70 miles of white sandy beaches -- the beautiful blue Atlantic Ocean to the east and the calm and peaceful Pamlico Sound to the west -- Hatteras Island is surrounded by nature and beauty. The pristine beauty, recreational opportunities and relaxed atmosphere are what attract year-round residents to this isolated paradise. “They get a taste of all four seasons, but the weather is gorgeous nearly all year long,” says Scott Leggat of Outer Beaches Realty. Currently, there are about 4,000 permanent, year-round residents living on Hatteras Island.

Hatteras Island is the ultimate destination for a water-sports enthusiast or a world-class fisherman.You can always find someone surfing, kite boarding, windsurfing, standup paddle boarding, kayaking or just hanging out by the beach, depending on the conditions.

The residents of this quaint little community are independent yet tight-knit and willing to help each other out in the face of inclement weather or other hardships. Scott explains, “We have villages as opposed to towns or cities. Each village has something different or unique to offer its residents and guests.” With the island’s unique, laid-back style of living and solid community, it’s not hard to understand why people love Hatteras Island.

There are many beaches along the east coast but Hatteras Island’s pure, uncrowded and undisturbed beaches are a hidden gem in this busy, overcrowded and hectic world. Come and unwind with us while you enjoy the beauty that is Hatteras Island.

Fort Lauderdale enjoys the title “Venice of America” because of its winding network of canals and waterways throughout the city, but with a decidedly cosmopolitan crowd, active nightlife, and an abundance of world-class restaurants, the comparison is all too appropriate.

Whether it’s enjoying al fresco dining on Las Olas Boulevard or a night on the town to the Center for Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale offers big city amenities situated against a backdrop of 23 miles of tropical, sugar-sand beaches and sunshine.

As Julie Jones, Broker/Associate at Premiere Estate Properties explains: “Residents can enjoy oceanfront living either in a luxury condominium with vast ocean views or the intimacy of a private beachfront estate. The possibilities for a tropical lifestyle in Fort Lauderdale are multi-faceted!”

As a tropical vacation destination with a rich and diversified center of industry, Fort Lauderdale is a city where one can work and play. A huge hub for international commerce, the city offers three local airports, a bustling seaport and businesses that call its downtown “home.” As more businesses relocate here, Fort Lauderdale is proving to be an ideal location for executives and their families to live in and enjoy.

As a luxury real estate marketing professional it is important to stay focused on the luxury market and its trends. One of the emerging countries in the world is India and its appetite for luxury goods and services has been insatiable. Our nation’s Asian Indian population has exploded over the past decade, far outpacing the growth of other Asian groups, according to 2010 Census figures. So if you are working with an Asian Indian individual or family, you need to know about Vastu.

In Sanskrit the word “Vastu” means dweller/dwelling. It is India’s form of FengShui. “In Indian architecture, the dwelling is itself a shrine. A home is called manushyalaya, literally, "human temple". It is not merely a shelter for human beings in which to rest and eat. The concept behind house design is the same as for temple design, so sacred and spiritual are the two spaces.” From Wikipedia

Add Vastu to your vocabulary as we say in The Language of Luxury. Get Fluent, Get Affluent.™

This blog posting has been provided by Ron and Alexandra Seigel, the Language of Luxury Community Founders and managing partners of Napa Consultants, International, the leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm. They specialize in personal and company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing. Photos courtesy of Ron and Alexandra.

Almost every luxurious estate includes a pool area that complements the home, whether it be located inside or outside or both.Pools come in manyexquisite designs – lap pool, classic, free form, infinity,as well as many other choices that are available.The pool area offers relaxation,as you take in the sun , exercise andquite often a place for entertaining your guests. We have selected some of what we feel are the top pool areas to give you some ideas for creating your own exclusive pool area.

Quality cues are indications of quality in packaging, displays, product features, collateral materials, website design, messaging, etc. The more quality cues you can offer in your luxury real estate marketing practice the more your personal or company brand will become distinctive and unforgettable.

Here is an example of a quality cue we noticed when we visited the newly opened REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) store in Santa Barbara. We immediately noticed the door handles picture above. They are actual mountaineering pick axes with resin encased heads and points for safe usage. This quality cue reinforces their motto, “Get outside, yourself”. It also communicates that they are known for a wide variety of quality outdoor gear and equipment, and great service.

Here is another example from one of the luxury real estate marketing professionals we have met. This individual always hands their client the keys to their new home on a Tiffany key ring in the iconic blue box. This gesture is a WOW moment for the new owners, and one that will be remembered and talked about.

For luxury real estate marketing professionals, small things can make a big difference in terms of standing out from your competition. These small things add up to make you unforgettable. What are some small things you do to make you unforgettable?

This blog posting has been provided by Ron and Alexandra Seigel, the Language of Luxury Community Founders and managing partners of Napa Consultants, International, the leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm. They specialize in personal and company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing. Photos courtesy of Ron and Alexandra.

“Elk River is a community of families and friends - and there has never been a better time to consider a mountain home here,” says Rick Foster, president of Elk River Realty. “Elk River is a unique, private club, with its own 4,600-foot jet port.”

Located in Banner Elk, North Carolina and nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Elk River offers a variety of activities for quality family time. Boasting a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf course that consistently ranks among the state's Top 10 courses, golf is certainly the main attraction. However, that is only the beginning of all Elk River has to offer. From the mountain-top equestrian center and Saddle Club with miles of tree-lined riding trails, to the Wellness and Fitness center, complete with Nautilus equipment, saunas and heated pool, to the comprehensive Tennis Center, to the dedicated park areas with cascading streams and long range views of the beautiful Blue Ridge, and a Class-A stocked catch and release trout fishing river, there is truly something every member of the family will enjoy. With an on-site jet port, capable of accommodating corporate and private aircraft, busy executives can fly in to spend the weekend enjoying the cool mountain air and reconnecting with family, then return to the office refreshed and rejuvenated.

“Our outstanding amenities, combined with the natural scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, provides the perfect setting for families to gather closer - to create memories that turn into traditions, and legacies that last for lifetimes,” explains Rick. “And for those with access to private or corporate aircraft, our on-site airport makes getting to Elk River a breeze!”

More often than not the first impression you make with new prospects, as a luxury real estate marketing professional, occurs the first time they encounter your website. Are you making a lasting first impression or are you forgettable?

It is human nature to rely more on sight than any other mode of sensory perception. That is why excellent graphic design is so important in capturing and holding the attention of your website visitors. Great design is your sure-fire method of making a lasting first impression. It is an integral part of capturing significantly more leads especially when it sparks a positive emotional response and resonates with the values of your website visitors.

In the course of marketing luxury real estate, how can you expect to capture an online lead if you cannot first capture the attention of your prospect? People do “judge a book by its cover” or wine by its label or products by its packaging This is true particularly when a recommendation from a trusted source is not a factor in the buying decision or when choosing a service professional.

We recently found two wineries that exemplified this principle by incorporating metal in their labels, something we have never seen before. These bottles definitely stand out which is exactly what you need to do if you expect to capture and hold the attention of your web visitors.

Keep in mind that your competitors’ sites are just a click away. That is why it is imperative to grab your visitors’ attention with compelling graphic design. But, even more important than a great look, your graphics must communicate the essence of your brand values. Ideally, your graphics should tell the entire story of who you are in a nano-second! That is the true test of great branding!

If you want to be the standout in your marketplace your website must make a strong, positive first impression. Otherwise, you and your website become forgettable.

This blog posting has been provided by Ron and Alexandra Seigel, the Language of Luxury Community Founders and managing partners of Napa Consultants, International, the leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm. They specialize in personal and company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing. Photos courtesy of Ron and Alexandra.

Ninety minutes from Manhattan, north Jersey and Connecticut isa waterfront living experience unlike any other. Escape the city and, upon arrival, be greeted with crisp, clean mountain air. Look out your window at an enticingview of the lakes. The water is pristine and clear. Neighboring eagles soar over the water as they fish.

The 20-acre equestrian peninsula compound within the gated Chapin Estates embodies refined rustic elegance. The Timberline Lodge Estate serves as a therapeutic waterfront retreat for many of its residents and guarantees an old-time privacy experience. Feel like you stepped back in time to an Adirondack Great Camp or a lodge in the Great Northwest with all of the modern conveniences. “Nothing else exists like this so close to the city,” says Steve Dubrovsky, developer of The Chapin Estates.Fall weather in the Catskill Mountain area is classic, and the trees areemblazoned in gold, red and orange leaves. Winter offers adequate snow fall for sports like skiing and snowboarding on nearby slopes. The spring is moderate with cool breezes; perfect weather for hiking on one of the area’s many trails. In the summer, the days are warm and nights are cool. Boating and water sports are available on the Timberline Lodge Estate’s bordering lakes.

With the options of arriving by car, train, bus or private plane, there is no reason not to invest in one of the most exclusive and preciouswaterfront properties available on the market.

Named the Happiest City in the U.S. by author Eric Weiner and Self Magazine, Asheville, North Carolina is at the top of the list of places to live and visit in the United States. Asheville’s diversity, laidback lifestyle and natural beauty make it a revered destination. The Blue Ridge Mountains surround downtown where you can visit some of the finest galleries, restaurants and music venues found anywhere, yet a mere 5-minute drive will take you deep into the woods. One of the most enticing things about Asheville is its weather. Asheville has four distinct seasons but without the temperature and humidity extremes found elsewhere. Summertime average highs are in the 80s, and daytime winter temperatures are in the low 30s. The 40 inches of annual precipitation keeps the area lush and vegetation diverse, helping Asheville to keep its classificationas one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the world. “In no other place do so many perspectives meet and flourish under the backdrop of these beautiful mountains. The mountains provide the perfect assortment of natural resources for residents to live active and healthy lifestyles among an inspiring artist community,” says Neal Hanks, President of Beverly-Hanks & Associates Realtors in Asheville.Although the Asheville area offers an array of outdoor activities like fly-fishing, hiking, kayaking, rafting and cycling along the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is not just for the outdoorsy. The area boasts a thriving arts community and a vibrant downtown that embraces entrepreneurship, cultivated eateries and a variety of shopping options, all unlike anywhere else. “There’s an energy here that simply can’t be described on paper,” says Hanks. “Those who want to live in the heart of art and activity and culture and convenience find that Asheville delivers in a way that is uniquely its own.”

This photo is what Van Cleef & Arpels deemed appropriate for their remodel on the corner Rodeo Drvie and Dayton Drive in Beverly Hills. Unlike Bulgari, Van Cleef Arpels' jewelry is classic in its luxury appeal. It is an old world French jewelry compnay, founded in 1906 on the venerable Place Vendome in Paris. The brand is known for its signature mystery settings where the prongs are concealed. Van Cleef & Arpels' customers have included the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. Their remodel facade is subtle and understated like their mystery settings.

Last month we wrote a post illustrating how remodeling is creatively camouflaged in Beverly Hills. We featured the Bulgari jewelry store who, in keeping with their brand identity, had designed a bright golden opulent camouflage while remodeling their store. True to their idetity, the store board was colorful and attention getting. We feel it is spot on its brand signal. It is perfect for who they are.

Every company has its point of attraction for their target market. It is clear how two brands selling jewelry have a different approach because they understand their ideal client. We happen to like and appreciate both because of their clarity in communicating who they are. What do you think?

This blog posting has been provided by Ron and Alexandra Seigel, the Language of Luxury Community Founders and managing partners of Napa Consultants, International, the leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm. They specialize in personal and company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing. Photos courtesy of Ron and Alexandra.

Brand strategy for luxury real estate marketing professionals is all about achieving top- of-mind status. That takes superior, long-range, strategic thinking. But, what is at stake? The lion’s share of the business in your market place or a niche therein, that is what is at stake!

Who Needs Brand Strategy?

The only players who have a use for brand strategy are the ones who are bent on gaining or sustaining market leadership Incumbents or Challengers. Everyone else is fighting over the crumbs, doing the best they can. To seize or maintain the lion’s share you must think strategically.

Have you been watching the NBA Western Conference Playoffs with San Antonio and Oklahoma City? San Antonio is proving to be in a league of their own. Their teamwork is impeccable and their strategy is brilliant. They just won 20 straight games! Kenny Smith, the retired NBA star and TV announcer, covering Game 2 said something that explained the difference between the two teams: “San Antonio is playing Chess while OKC is playing Checkers”.

Chess or Checkers?

That comment perfectly summarized what we have been saying about brand strategy for luxury real estate marketing professionals. If you are bent on the “unabashed pursuit of market leadership”, it is imperative that you become a master of brand strategy. Like Chess, brand strategy requires well-thought-out, long range thinking.

You can make a lot of money by mastering internet marketing strategy by being the first to capture buyer leads. Many incumbent market leaders are very vulnerable in this department because they are not up to speed yet and, in most cases, it is still a buyers’ market. But, in the long run it is the agent, team or company who consistently wins listings that makes the most money. Being a master of both disciplines, is the surest way to become the dominant player and significantly outdistance your closest competitors.

Even though it appears that you are playing on the same game board, the true market leader is playing Chess, while everyone else is playing Checkers. However, If you want to challenge the market leader you need to outthink the incumbent at their strategic level and beat them at their own game. The battle may ultimately be a fight for market share. But, you first have to win the battle for mind share. And, that takes strategy.

Are you playing Chess or Checkers?

This blog posting has been provided by Ron and Alexandra Seigel, the Language of Luxury Community Founders and managing partners of Napa Consultants, International, the leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm. They specialize in personal and company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing. Photos courtesy of Ron and Alexandra.

As a luxury real estate marketing professional it is easy to get bogged down with the day-to-day activities of“transaction engineering” and neglect the life-blood of your business: promotion and marketing. Sometimes you need to step back from your practice to regain your “orbital marketing prospective”. It is only when you view your practice from a broader perspective that out-of-the-box thinking is possible.

Opportunities to out-think and out-market your competition abound. This weekend we noticed that not a single real estate firm or agent sponsored one of the most well-attended community events of the year in our town of Santa Barbara, California. What an great opportunity for standing out this was!

"I Madonnari, or street painters transformed the Santa Barbara Mission Plaza using pastels on pavement to create 150 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. The festival benefits the Children's Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education offices. "The project serves 50,000 children in more than 100 schools with visual and performing arts workshops and performances throughout", according to their website. This event is in partnership with Santa Barbara's sister city in Italy,Grazie di Curtatone.

The opportunity to promote your name or your company as a sponsor was affordable. It ranged from the smallest ($125 for 4' x 6' format vertical format) to the largest (12’ x 12’ for $650). In addition, your name is on the festival poster, it is inscribed on the pavement at the base of the Mission steps, it appears in full-page newspaper advertisements and also appears on the festival kiosk. The local news covers the event on TV which amplifies the effectiveness of your sponsorship.

You could either provide the painter, or the Children's Creative Project would provide the painter. Given what most luxury real estate marketing professionals spend to promote themselves, this was a no brainer.

As hard as it may seen at times, you simply must take the time to regain your orbital marketing perspective. Step back and identify opportunities to out-smart your competition. That is the surest route to soaring in your luxury real estate marketing practice.

Like the kids represented in this year's pavement pastel chalk painting, being backyard orbital explorers and looking out of their box/spaceship it is time to explore your own backyards for out-of-the box opportunities to promote yourself. That means to make yourself well known and well thought of!

This blog posting has been provided by Ron and Alexandra Seigel, the Language of Luxury Community Founders and managing partners of Napa Consultants, International, the leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm. They specialize in personal and company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing. Photos courtesy of Ron and Alexandra.

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day, and it is honors US men and women who died in the military Service. The first Memorial Day was celebrated to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War 1. It is important to take a moment and reflect on all those who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

If you happen to find yourself in Santa Barbara, here is an annual event that is fun and benefits children in Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo Counties.

"I Madonnari, or street painters will transform the Santa Barbara Mission Plaza using pastels on pavement to create 150 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. The festival benefits the Children's Creative Project, a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education offices. The project serves 50,000 children in more than 100 schools with visual and performing arts workshops and performances throughout."--from the website," This event is in partnership with Santa Barbara's sister city in Italy,Grazie di Curtatone.

You can view the art work on the 26, 27, and 28th. Admission is free.

We wish you a wonderful relaxing long weekend, Cheers, Ron & Alexandra

This blog posting has been provided by Ron and Alexandra Seigel, the Language of Luxury Community Founders and managing partners of Napa Consultants, International, the leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm. They specialize in personal and company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing. Photos courtesy of Ron and Alexandra.

One of the subjects that comes up often as we advise our clients in marketing luxury real estate is the fine line between specializing in the top tier of the marketplace and not wanting to alienate previous clients whose home sold in the mid price range, our clients are concerned that they may come accross as too pretentions or aloof. Inherent in that concern is a misconception of the meaning of luxury, because it is often associated with elitism and conspicuous consumption, whereas we firmly believe that this is a limited perspective because there is luxury in simple pleasures, for example, the luxury of tasting the first crop of sweet corn.

Corn on the cob is a quintessential American food of summer. The first crop is here at our Farmers' Market in Santa Barbara, It reminds us of Richard Rodgers' song, Oh, What A Beautiful Morning, from the quintessential American musical Oklahoma, written in 1943. Here is our favorite excerpt about corn.

There's a bright golden haze on the meadow, There's a bright golden haze on the meadow, The corn is as high as an elephant's eye, An' it looks like its climbin' clear up to the sky.

This blog posting has been provided by Ron and Alexandra Seigel, the Language of Luxury Community Founders and managing partners of Napa Consultants, International, the leading luxury real estate strategic marketing firm. They specialize in personal and company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing. Photos courtesy of Ron and Alexandra.